International Conflict, Religion and Culture:
Implications for Southeast Asia and Australia
Attendees in discussion at Manila Workshop.
Centre for Dialogue staff, Dr George Myconos, Dr Luca Anceschi and Dr Michális S. Michael with Centre visiting fellow, Dr Natalia Morales.
Professor Joseph Camilleri presents at the Manila Workshop.
Since the September 11 2001 attacks, Muslim communities have frequently been marginalised and discriminated against by the media, government departments and community groups.
This three year project aims to examine the cultural and religious tensions that have emerged in Southeast Asia since September 11. The countries in focus are the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.
In August-September 2007, the Centre for Dialogue co-hosted a major international conference in the Philippines with Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), the Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (Indonesia) and the International Movement for a Just World (Malaysia). Distinguished scholars and researchers compared responses to racial, cultural and religious tensions that have emerged post September 11 in selected focus countries.
Dr Michális S. Michael and Dr George Myconos presented two Discussion Papers that examined how tensions between the Australian-Muslim community and the non-Muslim community have evolved since September 11. Dr Michael's paper, Australia's Response to Tensions between Islam and the West since September 11, examined the Australian government's response to such tensions. Dr Myconos' paper assessed how the Australian media represented Islamic and Middle-Eastern communities since the terrorist attacks and the 'war on terror.' Both papers critically analysed key sectors of the Australian government and media and made recommendations to help curb the escalating tensions and misperceptions towards the Australian-Muslim communities.
The partner institutions also held a series of workshops in Jakarta, Indonesia (20–22 October 2008). The workshops focused on two key areas of tension. First, a group of research papers continued the analysis of ethnic or religiously based tensions inside each focus country (Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Australia). Secondly, workshop participants examined how geopolitical tensions, particularly the policies of the US and China, were affecting the region.
The Centre for Dialogue and its partner institutions are currently investigating the potential to lay the foundations of a network of civil society actors committed to developing stronger intercultural, interfaith relations in the region. A series of academic publications are expected to arise from the various workshops that arose from this project.
- Project Coordinators
- Professor Joseph A. Camilleri
- Dr Luca Anceschi
- Supporting Organisations
- International Movement for a Just World (JUST), Malaysia
- State Islamic University, Indonesia
- Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines
- Centre for the Study of Islam and Society, Indonesia
- Duration
- 2006 — 2009